Management Information Systems and Services at Duquesne University

Pennsylvania's MIS programs show dramatic variation, with Villanova graduates earning $78,703 versus Shippensburg's $51,195. Duquesne's trajectory suggests it lands in the middle tier—peer programs in the state put first-year earnings around $56,600, but this program's actual four-year figure of $72,884 indicates students gain significant ground quickly. That's $13,000 above the national median and suggests graduates are competing effectively for mid-career positions, even if they don't start at Drexel or Villanova levels.

The estimated debt burden of $26,600 creates a manageable 0.47 debt-to-earnings ratio based on comparable programs' starting salaries. For a private university education in Pittsburgh, that's competitive—similar schools nationally typically produce the same debt load. The four-year earnings data tells you graduates aren't staying stuck at entry level, which matters more than a slightly modest start when you're repaying loans over a decade.

The bottom line: This program appears to deliver solid mid-career outcomes even if it doesn't crack the state's top tier immediately. The gap between estimated first-year and actual four-year earnings is your safety margin—if your child lands near the Pennsylvania median initially but follows this program's growth pattern, they'll be earning well above both state and national benchmarks within four years while carrying manageable debt from a school with a 79% admission rate.